Digital TV will have a dramatic impact on Maine citizens

I saw a story on the news saying that 80,000 people in Maine rely on "free" antenna TV.

Maine is a very large state, and many of us don't get strong signals from Antenna TV...

Usually the best Antenna signal comes from roof-top antennas. I could barely get the 3 "major" broadcast channels on the rooftop antenna. Forget getting the UHF channels.

Most people I've spoken to say that "rabbit ears" (TV set-top antennas) get extremely poor reception. Actually you can't even watch the signal that comes over the rabbit ears.

The current analog signals allow you to watch TV, even if you get a poor signal.

The new Digital signals are an all or nothing affair. You either get the signal or you don't.

I'm glad I signed up for Digital Cable a year ago.

I'm willing to bet many more Maine residents will either sign up for cable or satellite TV.

I think these days the Dish Network (?!) has more subscribers than Time Warner cable. I see satellite dishes all over, even in the "poor neighborhoods." I believe the Satellite cable fees are cheaper than Time Warner cable.

We're not allowed to have satellite tv in our apartment building.

Time Warner is our cable provider, and they're extremely limited as to what they can do. They must work with whatever existing cables are already installed in the building.

That's ok because I've been happy with Time Warner cable and Roadrunner Internet.

Tags: analog, cable, digital, knights, ron, ronknights, tv

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Comment by Ron Knights on January 23, 2009 at 10:21pm: Hi Tommy, thanks for sharing your own experience. What area do you live in?

We have Time Warner, but across the river, in a nearby city, they have Cox Cable. (Or is it Comcast?!)

At any rate, I'm really happy with my service, and everything else here.

Comment by tommy on January 23, 2009 at 9:45pm: I'am with Ron Knights.We not allowed to have satellite.And how can you hook it up without drilling holes.Although i do have a patio and balcony.I think the cable wiring was installed when they built apartments around 7 years ago.You're just plain limited in apartments.And like Ron,the benefits of living here outweigh one minor restriction.Seems Comcast would lower rates to draw in more customers.And long time customers like me,dont get any discounts.Oh we was Warner and Roadrunner before Comcast took over.And they allowed discounts.I really feel for the people without cable or sattalite.I've read many sites and forums.Some of the boxes just plain not working.Be it roof top or rabbit ears.

Comment by Ron Knights on January 13, 2009 at 12:58pm: WE have no balconies. There is no really easy way to mount a satellite dish without making holes, or mounting them on the roof.

Personally, I don't really care.

This is the best apartment building I've lived in, in my entire adult life.

The benefits of living here far outweigh that one minor restriction.

Comment by krs on January 13, 2009 at 12:52pm: Just not allowed to have satellite tv? you might want to look into it, that would be illegal. If the dish can be installed without being in community property area, and without making holes, and safely, the owners cannot legally stop you from getting satellite.
see http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html
If a owner or homeowners association attempts to ban satellite dishes, where you could mount in an exclusive use area, like on a tripod on a balcony, the FCC would rule on your side.